The world's population is expected to hit 8 billion people on November 15, according to the UN. Already this has prompted worry about whether there will be enough food, water and energy to support our growing population.
If you're in the UK, how do you understand the government's plan to deal with energy prices? Has it: 1 - Capped energy bills for all households at £2,500 for the next two years; 2 - Capped the price of energy so a typical household will pay £2,500 per year for the next two years; 3 - Required energy providers to offer free gas and electricity when the temperature falls below 4 degrees, up to £2,500 per year; or, 4 - Increased the personal income tax allowance for the next two years by £2,500 to help offset energy costs. If you answered 2) you are of course correct.
Scotland's largest health union, UNISON, has announced today (Tuesday15 November 2022) that its NHS members have rejected the Scottish government's final offer on pay. The announcement comes following a two-week consultative ballot which saw 61 per cent of members vote to reject the offer.
ParcelHero has relaunched its retailers' Christmas final deadlines tool, listing 50 of the UK's favourite retailers' final order dates. It warns a Sunday Christmas and potential delivery disruption could cause problems for last-minute shoppers.
Aquaculture supply chain businesses invited to join the delegation and exhibition space on the Scottish pavilion at Aqua Nor 2023, Norway. A Scottish pavilion will return to Aqua Nor next summer, showcasing the nation's blue economy expertise and offering aquaculture supply chain companies a chance to do business on an international stage once again.
Energy security relies on shifting from fossil fuels, says Environment Minister. Scotland will bring to COP27 its experience of work to deliver a just transition in the energy sector to support other countries to make the shift to renewable and cleaner, greener energy, Environment Minister Màiri McAllan has said.
Scottish Labour has today unveiled new plans to help people at risk of losing their homes as mortgage costs spiral. Soaring interest rates caused by Tory economic mismanagement risk triggering a wave of mortgage arrears and potential repossessions - but support for struggling homeowners remains woeful.
Commenting ahead of the Autumn Statement this Thursday, Marco Forgione, Director General of The Institute of Export & International Trade said, "The Autumn statement this Thursday is a crucial moment for the future of the UK economy. There is no room for error here.
DINGWALL, Dingwall & Highland Marts ltd, (November 10th) sold 4,362 store sheep of all classes. Lambs (2,632) averaged £61.09 and sold to £126 gross for a Hampshire down fro Marian, Evanton.
Extension opens benefit to more than 400,000 children. The Scottish Child Payment has today been increased to £25 and been extended to include eligible children up to age 16.
Commenting on reports that large parts of the Highlands and Islands have experienced no firefighter cover on multiple dates, Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has today submitted a Written Parliamentary Question to the Scottish Government on the issue. The regional MSP has asked the Scottish Government, following these reports, what will be done to resolve personnel shortages.
Joint UK-France arrangement on tackling small boat crossings in the Channel includes a 40% increase in the number of UK-funded officers patrolling French beaches. Numbers of officers in northern France will increase by 40% over the coming months as a result of UK funding to step up action to reduce illegal small boat crossings, following a new UK and France agreement signed today.
As of 6th November 2022, there have been a total of 16,004 deaths registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate. In week 44 there were 45 deaths involving COVID-19 (three fewer than the previous week).
New UK support to the Global Fund will help fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The UK is again contributing to the Global Fund to help fight three of the deadliest diseases around the world.
The UK has sanctioned officials within the Iranian regime responsible for heinous human rights abuses. The UK and international partners have announced coordinated sanctions on Iranian officials who are leading the violent repression of protests in Iran.
The Prime Minister will call for coordinated global action to address international economic instability and the rising cost of living when he attends the G20 Summit this week. The Prime Minister arrives at the G20 Summit in Indonesia today (Monday 14 November 2022) for talks with the leaders of the world's biggest economies.
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly announces the first tranche of UK funding to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. the support will help with essential repairs to critical energy infrastructure following ongoing Russian attacks, and will reconnect households and key facilities to power supply.
The UK economy shrank by 0.2 per cent in the third quarter of 2022, setting Britain on course for the quickest return to recession since 1975 and offering sobering backdrop to the Autumn Statement next week, the Resolution Foundation said. While a smaller fall than markets expected, the latest contraction was widespread, with consumer spending shrinking amidst an acute cost-of-living.
Since launching its 100% sustainable seaweed snack range a year ago, the Wick-based food firm's super-grain chips have become the biggest selling non-potato bagged snack in existing regional supermarket listings (Neilson data). They've recently gained new listings with Morrisons, Holland & Barrett and Booths1.
Local people interested in the proposed West of Orkney Windfarm can find out more by attending one of a number of public events in the coming weeks. In January, a consortium comprising Corio Generation, TotalEnergies, and Scottish offshore wind developer RIDG successfully secured rights in the Crown Estate Scotland's ScotWind leasing round to develop a 2 GW offshore windfarm around 30km off the west coast of Orkney and around 25km from the Sutherland coast.
